Indian High Commissioner seeks consular access to Kulbhushan Jadhav again

NEW DELHI: Indian high commissioner Gautam Bambawale, who met Pakistan foreign secretary Tehmina Janjuain Islamabad on Friday, sought consular access to Kulbhushan Jadhav for the 14th time. Speaking to the media after the meeting, Bambawale said: “Pakistan has denied our request for consular access 13 times.” He also informed that India had asked for a copy of the chargesheet against Jadhav.

India has directed its high commission in Pakistan to exhaust all legal options to safeguard Jadhav. Earlier in the day, advisor to Pakistan prime minister on foreign affairs, Sartaj Aziz, said: “Kulbhushan Jadhav, who is responsible for espionage, sabotage and terrorism in Pakistan, has been tried according to the law of the land, in a fully transparent manner while preserving his rights, as per the Constitution of Pakistan.”

Aziz clarified that Kulbhushan Jhadav still had the right to appeal within 40 days to an appellate court. He may also lodge a mercy petition to the Army chief within 60 days of the decision by the appellate court and may file a mercy petition to the President of Pakistan within 90 days after the decision of Chief of the Army Staff on the mercy petition.